Web 2.0: Going Beyond the Normal Internet

The internet, and all that it has to offer, can be extremely overwhelming at times. You go to sleep and wake up with 400 new tweets, new YouTube videos and a Facebook update on your phone. How could you possibly keep up with all this new technology? Like my friend Dory says, just keep swimming! Researching Web 2.0 tools or social media sites does not have to take a lot of time. In fact, I like to do "5 minute professional development." I give myself 5 minute chunks of time to browse my twitter feed, or read a technology blog. I also like to explore new tools that I am hearing about or perfect the ones I am familiar with. I try to keep my internet usage in check, because at the end of the day I am more than a technology specialist: I'm also a mom, wife, and woman who enjoys her Thursday night TV! So my plan moving forward is to give myself small chunks of time to research new technology tools or ideas. One of the ways I will accomplish this is to check my Twitter feed daily. This class has given me a new appreciation of the power that Twitter has in education. I have been a Twitter user for a number of years, but it was all under a personal account. I had no idea the networking that I could do or the ideas I could get by creating an educational Twitter account! I also find it very refreshing to read so many positive, exciting ideas happening with educators all over the world. It has really renewed my faith in education as a whole reading my Twitter feed every day. I also will continue creating playlists on my YouTube channel. This tool makes it so easy to get "just in time" professional development. If I don't understand how to use a Web 2.0 tool, I'll search for a video about it. Creating playlists are also an awesome way to share information with others quickly and easily. I was also introduced to something new during this class that I will continue to use and customize, and that is my aggregating page. I had a lot of fun creating my Protopage, and I can see how this would be very beneficial as a professional development piece or as a networking tool. The daily maintenance is minimal and it offers a wealth of information all in one place. I love reading my technology blogs and websites from my page! Learning all of these new technology tools has made me really excited about the future of education and the future of professional development. What Web 2.0 tool is your favorite? Leave me a comment below!